In Santa Fe, New Mexico, the reported deaths of Hollywood legend Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, have taken a puzzling turn after a local doctor came forward with claims that add complexity to the ongoing investigation.
Dr. Josiah Child, a physician at Cloudberry Health, stated that Hackman’s wife, Arakawa, called his clinic a day after she was officially reported dead. This new detail raises questions about what truly happened in the final days of the Oscar-winning actor and his wife.
Official Reports vs. Doctor’s Claims
Authorities initially reported that Betsy Arakawa passed away on February 11 at the age of 65 due to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. Gene Hackman was said to have died at the age of 94 from heart disease, with Alzheimer’s as a contributing factor, about a week later. The couple’s bodies were discovered in their home on February 26.
However, Dr. Josiah Child’s claim challenges this official timeline. He recalls Arakawa calling to make an appointment for herself on February 12, a day after she was supposedly deceased. When she called back, she rescheduled the appointment, citing concerns over her husband’s health. She ultimately never showed up.
Medical Experts Express Doubt Over Hantavirus Diagnosis
Dr. Child noted that during the phone call, Arakawa did not exhibit signs of respiratory distress, which is usually present in cases of hantavirus infection. Medical experts have also raised questions about the official cause of death, saying the disease tends to progress over time, often requiring hospitalization.
One Los Angeles-based doctor voiced skepticism:
“Respiratory failure isn’t sudden—it worsens over time. It’s highly unusual for a healthy 65-year-old to collapse from hantavirus without prior symptoms.”
Hackman’s Estate Controversy
The confusion surrounding Arakawa’s death has sparked legal complications regarding Hackman’s estate. His will reportedly named Arakawa as the sole beneficiary. However, if she died before him, as the official timeline suggests, the estate may instead pass to Hackman’s three children from a previous marriage.
Legal experts suggest that Hackman’s children would have to challenge the will by proving that Arakawa died first. If the doctor’s claims hold up, the inheritance battle could take a new turn.
Authorities Investigating Phone Records
The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office is now analyzing cellphone records to create a more accurate timeline. With these new revelations, many questions remain unanswered about the couple’s final days.
A Hollywood Legend’s Mysterious End
Gene Hackman, a two-time Academy Award winner, had been retired from acting since 2004, enjoying a quiet life with Arakawa in Santa Fe. She was a classical pianist and co-owner of a home furnishings store. Originally, their deaths were considered straightforward, but the recent developments have left the public and authorities searching for the truth. As investigators delve further into the inconsistencies, the mystery of how Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa died only deepens.
